How is AI reshaping warfare?

Originally published on September 26, 2024 | Last modified on September 27, 2024

Overview

In this lesson, students will consider ethical dilemmas raised by the increasing use of AI in warfare. After listening to a podcast from the New York Times The Daily, about Ukraine’s use of emerging AI technologies in their war against Russia, students will develop their own positions about the ethics of AI warfare through discussion with peers.

AI & Social Studies
75 minutes

Digital Materials

Objectives

After this experience, students will be able to

Develop an argument about appropriate limits for using AI in warfare.
Defend their position using evidence and reasoning.
Consider multiple perspectives.

Questions explored

In this experience, students will consider

What limits should be applied to the use of AI in warfare?
What new ethical dilemmas does AI pose in warfare?

What Are “Large Language Models” (LLMs)?

In this lesson, students will learn about language models and why AI models like ChatGPT are called “Large Language Models” (LLMs). They will develop a fundamental knowledge of what makes an LLM “large” and how parameters are important to understanding an LLM’s capabilities, data needs, and power requirements.

Are BERT and ERNIE Really AI?

In this lesson, students will gain a general overview of various Large Language Models (LLMs), their functions, and their applications in everyday life. By the end of the lesson, they will be able to explain what an LLM is, recognize its uses, and identify some of the popular LLMs currently available.

How can AI be used to help conserve natural ecosystems?

In this lesson, students will apply their knowledge about healthy ecosystems to understanding ways that AI can help conserve the natural world. After studying several example applications, they will engage in a discussion and simulation to evaluate the effectiveness of different AI applications in natural conservation.